“British Subjects First, and Afterwards New Zealanders”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 103, 22 July 1927, Page 1

“British Subjects First, and Afterwards New Zealanders”

AS WE SEE OURSELVES A BRITISH subject first, and afterwards a New Zealander/* That was how the average citizen of this country was described to delegates of the Institute of Pacific Relations, in conference at Honolulu. The speaker (himself a New Zealander) pointed out, however, that any attempt at dictation on the part of Britain would be warmly resented. By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright.

Reel. 9.5 a m. HONOLULU, Thurs. Tt/TR. W. H. COCKER, New Zealand, addressed the Institute of Pacific Relations. He said there had not been enough time for a full development of the national spirit and consciousness in New Zealand. “So complete has been the connection with Britain that the New Zealander is inclined to regard himself as a British subject first and as a New Zealander afterwards. Yet any attempt at dictation on the part of Britain would be strongly resented.” The country was showing an increasing interest in foreign affairs. It might be that New Zealand was destined to play an important part in the protection and advancement of the Polynesian peoples in the South Pacific. The chief British delegate to the conference. Sir Frederick Whyte, pre-

sented a paper on “China and the Foreign Powers.” In tracing the relations of that country with other nations from early times, Sir Frederick said Britain’s policy in China had been dictated “primarily, if not solely, by her commercial interest.” In a review of the Japanese imperial policy the speaker said it was as justified as the imperial expansion of Britain across the seas, or as America’s expansion in the Pacific. The chief member of the Japanese delegation, Dr. Sawayanagi, said the Pacific Ocean was gradually becoming the centre of the world. Japan was facing a difficult task in trying to solve the problems of population and food, which could be done only through the tolerance and the enlightened cooperation of 11 those nations which bordered on the Pacific.—A. and N.Z.